Papal States

The Papal States (Gli Stati della Chiesa or Stati Pontificii, "States of the Church") was one of the major historical states of Italy before the boot-shaped peninsula was unified under the Piedmontese crown of Savoy (later a republic). The Papal States comprised those territories over which the Pope was the ruler in a civil as well as a spiritual sense before 1870. This governing power is commonly called the temporal power of the Pope, as opposed to his (unique and more essential) ecclestiastical primacy.

Related Topics:
Historical states of Italy - Crown of Savoy - Pope - 1870 - Temporal power

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The plural is usually preferred, for the singular Papal State (equally correct since it was not a mere personal union) is rather used for the modern remnant, the miniature state Vatican City which is an enclave within Italy's national capital Rome, just large enough to allow the Holy See the full diplomatic and practical benefits of sovereignty.

Related Topics:
Vatican City - Holy See

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